Australian couple who pledged to divorce if same-sex marriage became law backtrack after vote

A Christian couple who pledged to get divorced if same-sex marriage became law in Australia have backtracked after today’s vote.

Nick and Sarah Jensen made the public promise in 2015 saying the decision was “matter of conscience” as they did not recognise the state’s right to redefine the traditional union.

The couple said the stand had nothing to do with the health of their marriage and they planned to end their legal union while continuing to live together and refer to each other as husband and wife.

The couple’s stance received widespread attention in Australia and more than 100,000 people joined a Facebook event called ‘Celebrating Nick and Sarah Jensen’s divorce’.

However after the Australian Parliament voted on Thursday to allow same-sex marriage Mr and Mrs Jensen released a statement saying that current legislation made their divorce plan “untenable”.

There were scenes of jubilation across the country as the House of Representatives passed a bill by 43 votes to 12 to changing the definition of marriage from solely between a man and a woman to "a union of two people" excluding all others.

Members of parliament, from left, Cathy McGowan, Adam Brandt and Andrew Wilkie celebrate the passing of the Marriage Amendment Bill in the House of Representatives at Parliament House in CanberraCredit:
AAP

The vote came after Australians voted overwhelmingly in favour of same sex marriage in a national postal survey in November.

Meanwhile the government has appointed a panel to examine how to safeguard religious freedoms once gay marriage is a reality in Australia after similar amendments to the bill were rejected during its passage.

In a statement released to news.com.au, Mr Jensen said: “My previous public comments regarding civil divorce never envisaged me separating from my wife, but rather our marriage from the state.

“The legislation currently makes it untenable for us to do this under the law. The point we were highlighting and that still stands however is the fact that a redefinition of marriage changes the agreement under which we were originally married.

“We will be making no further comment.”

In his original 2015 letter to the Canberra City News, Mr Jensen said their proposed divorce was “nothing to do with the state of our marriage” and described his wife as “the only woman I have ever loved, the mother of our children, my perfect match”.

Explaining their reasons he said: “My wife and I, as a matter of conscience, refuse to recognise the government’s regulation of marriage if its definition includes the solemnisation of same sex couples.

“This has been a big decision for my wife and I. Some will accuse of us being bigoted or too hateful to share. But this couldn’t be further from our intentions.

“The truth is, “marriage” is simply too important. It is a sacred institution, ordained by God.”